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United States Patent |
5,316,248
|
Allen
|
May 31, 1994
|
Hand actuated-bucket pourer
Abstract
A bucket pourer comprises a base structure and an upright support structure
extending upwardly from the base. Pivotally mounted within the upright
support structure is a bucket holder. A handle extends from the bucket
holder, and by manipulating the handle, the bucket can be moved from an
upright holding position to a tilted pouring position.
Inventors:
|
Allen; Donald K. (Rte. 4 Box 352, Four Oaks, NC 27524)
|
Appl. No.:
|
063546 |
Filed:
|
May 19, 1993 |
Current U.S. Class: |
248/129; 248/137; 248/141; D34/24 |
Intern'l Class: |
A47F 005/12; A47F 007/28 |
Field of Search: |
248/129,137,139,140,141,142
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
978562 | Dec., 1910 | Choate | 248/141.
|
1111796 | Sep., 1914 | Hoffman | 248/141.
|
2937836 | May., 1960 | Fleischman | 248/141.
|
3236483 | Feb., 1966 | House | 248/140.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
2402771 | Jul., 1975 | DE | 248/137.
|
2018216 | Oct., 1979 | GB | 248/142.
|
Other References
"Carboy-Stand"; Universal Engineer; p. 107; May 19, 1888.
|
Primary Examiner: Seidel; Richard K.
Assistant Examiner: Woods; Raymond D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Rhodes, Coats & Bennett
Parent Case Text
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
07/930,282, filed Aug. 17, 1992, now abandoned and entitled "HAND-ACTUATED
BUCKET POURER".
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A hand-actuated mobile bucket pouring device comprising:
a) a base support structure for sitting on the ground or other support
surface;
b) the base support structure including a pair of laterally spaced side
frames with each side frame having a lower run and a pair of upwardly
converging runs having upper ends that converge and are secured together
to form a converging junction such that each side frame forms a closed
frame structure that consists essentially of the lower run and the two
upwardly converging runs;
c) a series of cross-members connected between the side frames and
including a lower cross-member connected between the lower runs and an
upper cross-member connected between the converging junctions of the
upwardly converging runs of the side frames;
d) an upright member secured to each converging junction of each side frame
and extending upwardly therefrom;
e) a bucket support structure pivotally mounted between the upright members
that extends upwardly from the converging junctions of the side frames;
f) the bucket support structure including a pair of laterally spaced side
arms, each side arm pivotally mounted to one of the upright members, and a
T-shaped open frame bottom support structure secured between the laterally
spaced side arms and including a cross-member extending between lower
portions of the side arms and a bottom member extending generally
perpendicularly from a mid point area of the cross-member a selected
distance, and a back post connected to an end of the bottom member and
extending generally perpendicularly upwardly therefrom to form a back
portion of the bucket support structure, wherein the side arms, the
T-shaped bottom support structure and the back post form the bucket
support structure held between the upright members;
g) a retainer extending from an upper portion of the back post generally
perpendicularly to the back post for engaging the top of a bucket and
retaining the bucket on the bucket support structure; and
h) a handle secured to the bucket support structure and extending therefrom
for pivoting the bucket support structure from an upright position to a
tilted pouring position.
2. The hand-actuated mobile bucket pouring device of claim 1 wherein the
base support structure includes wheel means mounted thereto that permit
the bucket pouring device to be moved from one location to another.
3. The hand-actuated mobile bucket pouring device of claim 1 wherein the
handle is integral with one side arm and extends upwardly from the one
side arm.
4. The hand-actuated mobile bucket pouring device of claim 1 wherein the
back post includes a relatively short post and a relatively long post and
wherein the retainer for engaging the top of the bucket includes means for
detachably connecting the retainer to either the relatively short post or
the relatively long post so as to form an interchangable retainer.
5. The hand-actuated bucket pouring device of claim 4 wherein each of the
relatively short and long posts includes a series of spaced apart openings
formed therein and wherein the interchangeable retainer includes a spring
loaded pin for projecting from the retainer through a selected opening in
either post so as to properly secure the retainer such that the retainer
engages and clamps the top of a bucket held within the bucket support
structure.
6. The hand-actuated bucket pouring device of claim 1 wherein the upper
ends of the upwardly converging runs of each side frame are formed into
half cylinders which are disposed adjacent to each other to form an open
sleeve-type receiver; and wherein each upright member includes a lower
terminal end that fits into the respective open sleeve-type receiver.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to pouring devices and more particularly to
hand-actuated pouring devices that are adapted to receive a bucket or
container and wherein the container is moved from an upright non-pouring
position to a tilted pouring position.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Paint stores, body shops and the like are very familiar with the
difficulties involved in pouring a liquid, such as paint, from a
five-gallon bucket. First of all, these buckets filled with paint or the
like are heavy and very difficult to handle. It is as especially hard to
pour a small or precise amount of liquid from the bucket, and of course,
spills are commonplace.
There are devices in the prior art for holding a paint bucket or the like
which are capable of tilting the paint bucket to a pouring position.
However, many of these devices in the prior art are heavy and difficult to
handle, not to mention the fact that they are also often bulky and are not
susceptible to being broken down and easily packed for convenient
shipment. Also, the designs of typical prior art devices are complicated
and make for manufacturing problems which, in the end, drive the cost of
these devices up and make them non-affordable for the small businessman.
Therefore, there is a need for a bucket holding and pouring device that is
simple in construction, easy to manufacture, assemble and ship, and which
is of a light-weight construction and which can be easily used.
SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The present invention entails a hand-actuated bucket or container holder
that is adapted to receive and hold a container such as a five-gallon
bucket and to move the bucket or container from an upright support
position to a tilted-pouring position. Structurally, the hand-actuated
bucket pouring device of the present invention entails a base support
structure having an upright structure secured thereto. Pivotally mounted
to the upright support structure is a pivotally mounted bucket holder. The
bucket holder is designed to receive and hold a bucket or container or the
like. A handle extends from the bucket holder and permits the bucket
holder to be pivoted from an upright holding position to an inclined
pouring position.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a simply
hand-actuated bucket pouring device that is simple in construction, easy
to use, and easy to install.
A further object of the present invention resides in a hand-actuated bucket
pouring device that can be easily assembled and disassembled for
convenient packaging and shipping.
Still a further object of the present invention resides in the provision of
a hand-actuated bucket pouring device that is of a light-weight, but
durable construction.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a hand-actuated
bucket pouring device that is adaptable for many different uses.
Still a further object of the present invention resides in the provision of
a hand-actuated bucket pouring device that enables an individual to
precisely and accurately pour small or measured quantities.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
and obvious from a study of the following description and the accompanying
drawings which are merely illustrative of such invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one species of the hand-actuated bucket
pouring device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the second species of the same invention.
FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a portion of the second species shown
in FIG. 2 particularly illustrating the holding and support of a bucket.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the top retaining clamp structure
that forms a part of both species of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third species of the bucket pourer of the
present invention.
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the bucket holding
and support structure of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
With further reference to the drawings, the pouring device of the present
invention is indicated generally therein by the numeral 10. As will be
appreciated from subsequent portions of this disclosure, the bucket
pouring device 10 of the present is disclosed in the form of two species
or two embodiments as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In any event, the basic
structure of the bucket pouring device 10 comprises a main frame structure
12 having a base 14 and an upright frame structure 18. Secured within the
upright frame structure is a bucket holding and support structure
indicated generally by the numeral 16. As is apparent from the drawings,
both species, shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, include the above structure.
First, turning to the species shown in FIG. 1, it is seen that the base 14
includes a generally u-shape base 20. Base 20 is a single member comprised
of integral sections 20a, 20b, and 20c. An axle 22 extends between
sections 20a and 20c and includes a pair of wheels 24 and 26 rotatably
mounted thereon.
Now turning to the upright frame structure 18, it is seen that the same
includes a pair of lower sections 30. As seen in FIG. 1, lower sections 30
are integral with the base 14, but it is appreciated that the lower
sections 30 could be separate and independent members. Secured to the
lower sections 30 via pins 36 is an upper section 34. Upper section 34
includes a pair of laterally spaced upright vertical sections 34a. A
cart-type handle structure is integrally formed with the vertical sections
34a and includes a generally u-shaped structure that includes sections
34b, 34c, and 34d.
Turning to the bucket holding and support structure 16, it is seen that the
species in FIG. 1 includes a pair of swing arms 40 and 42 with each swing
arm being pivotally mounted to the upper sections 34a of the upright frame
structure via pivot pins 44. Swing arms 40 and 42 include a pair of
vertical swing-arm sections 40a and 42a. Extending inwardly from the
vertical sections 40a and 42a is a pair of forward horizontal sections 40b
and 42b. Integral with the forward horizontal sections 40b and 42b is a
pair of rear extending horizontal sections 40c and 42c. Integral with
sections 40c and 42c is a pair of vertical members 40d and 42d. Extending
outwardly from members 40d and 42d is a pair of handles 42e and 40e. Thus,
it is appreciated that the respective sections 40a, 42a, 40b, 42b, 40c,
42c, 40d , and 42d form a bucket receiving and holding area. It is
appreciated that a bucket B (FIG. 3), such as a five gallon bucket, can
fit snugly within the confines of the structure forming the bucket holding
and support structure just described.
To retain the bucket about the top thereof, there is provided a clamping
structure indicated generally by the numeral 50. Clamping structure 50
includes a pair of insert arms 52 connected by cross-member 54 that
includes a padded surrounding 56. Insert arms 52 include a series of
adjustment openings that allow the clamping structure 50 to be adjustably
secured across the top of the container or bucket. By utilizing a pair of
securing pins 58, it is appreciated that the clamping structure 50 can be
appropriately adjusted down onto the top of a bucket held within the
bucket holding and support structure 16.
To assure positive retention of the bucket within the bucket holding and
support structure 16, there is provided a belt 60 that is secured about
one or both sections 40d or 42d.
With respect to this first species shown in FIG. 1 and described above, it
is appreciated that the entire frame structure can be moved from one
location to another. In addition, the bucket pouring device 10 is designed
such that a five gallon bucket or the like can be held and supported
within the bucket holding and support structure. When it is desired to
pour fluid from the bucket, the handle 40e and 42e can be grasped and
pulled forward causing the entire bucket and support structure 16 to
rotate about the pivot pins 44.
Turning to the second species shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, it is seen that
the base structure includes a pair of U-shaped members 62 and 64 with the
U-shaped members being connected to a pair of lower sections 68 through a
series of connecting pins 66. Lower sections 68, which forms a part of the
upright frame structure 18, are connected to a pair of intermediate
sections 70 by a pair of pins 71. Also forming a part of the upright frame
structure 18 is a top section 72 that includes a series of three sections
72a, 72b and 72c all of which are integrally formed to form a U-shaped
structure.
Turning now to the bucket holding and support structure 16 of the second
species, it is seen that the same includes a pair of swing arms 80. Swing
arms 80, through a series of integral or attached sections, forms the
bucket holding and support structure 16. More particularly, swing arms 80
include a pair of vertical sections 80a which include a lower turn from
which extends a pair of angled-horizontal sections 80b.
Extending upwardly from the angled-horizontal sections 80b is a pair of
back-vertical sections 80c which extend upwardly to where each section
turns outwardly to form a pair of outwardly extending handles 80d. The
bucket holding and support structure 16 further includes a front
horizontal section 82 secured between the angled-horizontal section 80b.
The entire bucket holding and support structure 16 is pivotally mounted to
the intermediate section of 70 via a pair of pivot pins 84.
The species or embodiment of FIG. 2 includes the same clamping structure 50
described in conjunction with the species of FIG. 1. For that reason, a
detailed discussion of the clamping structure 50 will not be dealt
herewith in detail. Likewise, the species of FIG. 2 also includes a
retaining belt 60 of the same basic design and which forms the same
function as already discussed in conjunction with the species of FIG. 1.
Note in FIG. 3 that a five gallon bucket B is held and retained within the
bucket holding and support structure 16. It is appreciated that the
clamping structure 50 fits down tightly on the top of the bucket B while
the belt 60 wraps completely around the bucket B and retains the same
within the bucket holding and support structure 16. By actuating the
handles 80d, one can tilt the bucket holding and support structure 16 to
an angle where fluid can be poured directly out of the bucket B.
Now, turning to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is shown therein a third design or
third species of the present invention. This third species comprises a
bucket pouring device indicated generally by the numeral 10 and as was the
case with the first two species, includes a mainframe structure indicated
generally by the numeral 12, a base structure indicated generally by the
numeral 14, an upright frame secured to the base and extending upwardly
therefrom indicated generally by the numeral 18, and a bucket holding and
support structure, indicated generally by the numeral 16.
Now, first viewing the base 14 of the third species, it is seen that the
same includes a pair of laterally spaced bent pipe side frames with each
side frame indicated generally by the numeral 100. It is appreciated that
each bent pipe side frame 100 comprises a single elongated pipe that has
been particularly bent and crimped to conform to the shape shown in the
drawings. Viewing each side frame 100 it is seen that the same includes a
bottom run 102 and extending upwardly from opposite ends of the bottom run
102 is a pair of upper runs 104 and 106. Upper runs 104 and 106 converge
towards each other about the top of the side frame 100 and form a pipe
receiver 112 where the upper portions of the upper runs 104 and 106
converge.
Connected between the two side frames 100 is a rear cross-member 108 and a
lower front cross-member 110. Secured about the lower rear portions of the
assembled and connected side frames 100 is a pair of wheels 116. Finally,
connected between the upper ends of the upper runs 104 and 106 of each
side frame 100 is an upper cross-member 114. Thus, it is appreciated that
the base structure 14 of the third species as shown in FIG. 5 is of an
open rigid frame structure.
Now, turning to the upright frame structure 18, it is seen that the same
basically includes an inverted U-shaped frame indicated generally by the
numeral 120. The lower ends of the inverted U-shaped frame 120 are adapted
to extend into the defined receivers 112 that are defined about the upper
portion of each side frame 100 by the upper ends of the upper runs 104 and
106. In particular, the receiver 112 for each side frame 100 is formed by
particularly shaping the upper remote end of each run 104 and 106 into a
half cylinder. A pair of bolts 109 extend through the respective pairs of
half cylinder and through the lower end portions of the inverted U-shaped
frame so as to form a unitary structure between the base 14 and the
upright frame structure 18. As seen in the drawings, the inverted U-shaped
frame 120 comprises a pair of upstanding legs 120a and 120b joined
together by a horizontal cross-member 120c. As with the base 14, this
upright frame structure 18, just described, is fabricated from a pipe
structure with the respective components being bent and shaped so as to
form the structure shown in the drawings.
Now, turning to the bucket holding and support structure indicated
generally by the numeral 16, it is appreciated that in the case of the
third species this bucket holding and support structure is pivotally
connected and supported within the inverted U-shaped frame structure 120.
With respect to the third species design, the bucket support structure 16
includes a pair of swing arms 150 and 152 that are each pivotally
connected by a pivot pin 151 to a respective leg 120a or 120b of the
inverted U-shaped frame structure. As with the other frame components of
this bucket pouring device shown in FIG. 5, the bucket holding and support
structure 16 is of a pipe design. Therefore, the swing arms 150 and 152
are bent such that extending inwardly from each swing arm there is a pair
of transverse base runs 154 and 156. The base runs 154 and 156 are in turn
bent to form a pair of rear extending base runs 158 and 160. It is seen
that these base runs 154, 156, 158 and 160 form the bottom of the bucket
support structure and effectively engage and support the bucket from the
bottom.
To retain the bucket about the base runs 154, 156, 158 and 160, the
respective rear base runs 158 and 160 are bent to form two upstanding pipe
posts 162 and 164. Note that post 162 is shorter than post 164. As will be
appreciated from subsequent portions of this disclosure, the provision of
the short back post 162 and the long back post 164 gives the design of the
third species the capacity to hold and retain buckets of substantially
different heights and sizes. But continuing to refer to the back posts 162
and 164, it is seen that each post includes a series of openings 166.
There is provided a single clamping bar 168 that is designed to be inserted
into a top opening formed in both the short back post 162 or the long back
post 164. As seen in the drawings, the clamping bar 168 is adapted to fit
down into the top opening formed in each back post 162 and 164 and to
project upwardly therefrom where the clamping bar 168 includes a top bent
portion 168a that extends over the top of the bucket held and supported
within the bucket holding and support structure 16. A push-button type
retainer (FIG. 6) is mounted in the lower portion of the clamping bar 168
and is biased to an outwardly projected position. This spring biased
button or pin is designed to project from the base of the clamping bar 168
and to project therefrom through a respective opening 166 formed in either
of the back posts 162 or 164.
Therefore, it is appreciated that the clamping bar 168 can be conveniently
moved from the short back post 162 to the long back post 164. This permits
the clamping bar to be effective to engage and retain the top portion of
various size containers.
For example, the clamping bar 168 can retain either a five-gallon container
C or a conventional C2 two and one-half gallon container. Because of the
dual post 162 and 164 and the spaced apart opening 166 provided therein,
it is appreciated that containers of various heights can be accommodated
by the bucket pouring device of the present invention.
Therefore, it is appreciated that the clamping bar 168 can be conveniently
moved from one back post 162 to the other back post 164. This permits the
clamping bar to be effective to engage and retain the top portion of
various size containers, for example, the clamping bar 168 can retain
either a five-gallon container or a conventional two and one-half gallon
container. Because of the dual post 162 and 164 and the spaced apart
openings 166 provided therein, it is appreciated that containers of
various heights can be accommodated by the bucket pouring device of the
present invention.
To actuate and pivot the bucket holding and support structure 16 from its
upright position to an inclined pouring position, there is provided a
handle extension 170 that is integral with a respective swing arm 150 or
152. As seen in the drawings, the handle 170 extends upwardly from a
respective swing arm and is slightly bent and angled so as to clear and
extend upwardly past the top cross-member 120c of the invert U-shaped
frame 120.
To secure a bucket within the bucket holding and support structure 16 of
the third species just described, a strap 180 is provided and is attached
to a respective swing arm 150 or 152 and is designed to extend around the
bucket and to secure the same within the defined bucket holding and
support structure just described.
For the foregoing reasons, it is appreciated that the present invention
entails a very effective and efficient bucket pouring device that
positively holds and retains the bucket B while at the same time provides
an easy means for conveniently pouring fluid such as paint, water or the
like from the bucket B.
The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other specific ways
than those herein set forth without departing from the spirit and
essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are,
therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not
restrictive and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency
range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
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